The Board granted increased initial ratings of 20 percent for left ankle degenerative arthritis and 10 percent for a painful residual scar on the dorsal surface of the left foot, status post bone removal.
The deciding factor: Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board found that his symptoms most nearly approximated marked limitation of motion during the period on appeal due to regular episodes where he could not walk on his ankle due to swelling. For the painful scar, the evidence was in approximate balance as to whether it had been painful over the period on appeal.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle degenerative arthritis, painful residual scar on the dorsal surface of the left foot, status post bone removal
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 25, 2025
- Citation
- A25055153
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased rating of more than 20 percent for left ankle degenerative arthritis from February 19, 2024.
- Denied
The Board denied the claims for service connection for left knee, right ankle, and left ankle degenerative arthritis as there is no evidence of a current disability; in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury; and a nexus between the claimed in-service disease or injury and the present disease or injury.
- Partly granted
The Board granted the restoration of a 20 percent rating for radiculopathy in both lower extremities and an initial 20 percent rating for left ankle degenerative arthritis, while denying a compensable rating for right hallux valgus.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial increased rating of 20 percent, but no higher, prior to August 6, 2021, for left ankle degenerative arthritis and denied an increased rating above 20 percent since August 6, 2021.
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